Abstract: Prohibits cable, broadband, and telephone service providers from knowingly collecting
or attempting to collect money or other consideration from customers for time periods that
the providers are unable to provide services or do not provide services during a declared
disaster or emergency, and designates that act as an unfair trade practice.
Proposed law provides that if, during a declared disaster or emergency, certain utility providers
knowingly collect or attempt to collect money or other considerations from customers for services
they were unable to provide or did not provide. Proposed law also provides that this type of
violation is considered an unfair trade practice and a violator is subject to all relative penalties
provided for in present law.
Proposed law allows for a court to, in addition to the penalties provided for in present law, award
damages of not more than $10,000 per violation.
Proposed law describes what constitutes a violation for purposes of proposed law.
(Adds R.S. 51:1429)